Star Ocean (All Series) Fan Fiction ❯ Far From a Fairytale ❯ Rustic Silence ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter Seven: Rustic Silence

 

A/N: Hello there everyone! I know that it's been a really long time since I've updated. But, I became extremely busy and I decided to finish my Fruits Basket fic, which I have. So, now my time is going to be focused on this fic, though, I do have a Fruits Basket fic up, which will have a bunch of one-shots that had ideas that never got into my other story. I see that one as more of a whenever I feel like updating it, I will, type of fic; nothing more. Oh, and thanks so much for the reviews everyone, they keep me writing this fic! Anyway, I hope you all enjoy. : )

 

(-)-(-)

 

Hands interlocked Sophia led herself and Peppita onto the busy sidewalks of Tokyo. Albel, fully aware of the unknown factor that was presented at him, held Peppita's other small hand in his own. The trio walked. Many would mistake them for a family. Yet, such a thought never occurred in any of their minds. All any of them could ponder over was where they were to go because, by the dark clouds that were glued together over head, rain would fall from the sky soon-this was known without a doubt.

 

What can we do and where can we go? Sophia's mind centered on these two questions, as her legs moved her down the continuous path of sidewalks. They knew no one in this time, and none of the area that surrounded her looked a bit like the Tokyo her eyes could easily identify.

 

“Sophia, I'm hungry.” Those words, which were spoken from Peppita's lips were quiet, thus, the younger girl must have realized the serious nature of their predicament.

 

The older woman glanced at the shops and stores that surrounded them. She glanced at prices and at the currency, yen. Good, so the currency hasn't changed over the years. That thought helped calm her, though, it was only for a few seconds, for the realization that she might not even have money on her slammed into her brain. Hurriedly, Sophia checked her pockets and found a small amount of yen, surely not enough for three people to live off of for who knows how long. Yet, it would be enough to get a little bit of food to eat at the moment.

 

Peppita squeezed her hand and Sophia could sense Albel's eyes on her as well because, even though he could not understand the words that the two females said, she was positive he could feel her unease. “Do you have enough money to get us food, Sophia?” her green eyes large and worried.

 

“Don't worry; I have enough money to get us some food.” A smile graced her face, to hide the actual concern; Peppita was still so young-she didn't need to have this kind of weight on her shoulders. Sophia didn't want to deal with it all either, so, a smile was the temporary solution. A chill swept its way up her spine, and Sophia could almost touch the glare that Albel's blood stained orbs sent her way.

 

He was right. She did run away from her problems. She didn't go through the physical feat, but, she ran whenever that fake smile curved its way over her pink lips. Yet, just how she hid behind a dim smile, he hid behind a glass hard glare. So different, so the same; she had come to that conclusion multiple times already, yet, each time she did-the awe never lessened.

 

Sometimes, the most easily spotted thing was the most hidden and the most obvious… ended up as the most unexpected. That was the only way she could describe her relationship with Albel. If a relationship between them even truly existed at all.

 

Light emerald irises scanned the dreary city, her pupils took in all the brick and cement and glass that made up stores and businesses. Something to eat, something to eat… Her eyes lit up when she spotted an ice cream vendor. Peppita would like that; it could keep both their minds off of the predicament they presently found themselves in. Thus, with her decision made, Sophia grasped the child's hand and rushed towards the vendor, Albel followed behind the two (hand still connected to the fifteen-years-old one).

 

Once in line the brunette asked, “Okay, what kind of ice cream do you want?” She could feel the paper money in her pocket, she didn't have much…”We have to get kiddy size ice cream cones, okay?” The blonde nodded her head to tell that she understood, yet, Sophia knew that she understood fully when she didn't ask why. Albel just stared blankly at the two, and Sophia could tell that her sympathy for him showed clearly on her face.

 

“I want Strawberry.” The young Esteed was slightly taken off guard when her ears comprehended this simple statement. For some reason, the girl hadn't seemed like a Strawberry ice-cream person; after all, the girl loved sweet things. Then again, strawberries had their own natural sugar, just like all fruits did; this was true sugar…pure sugar, not the fake sugar of chocolate. She didn't utter a word.

 

All three waited in line, that is, until their turn to order finally came. “I want three kiddy cones; one Chocolate, one Strawberry, and one Vanilla.” the three flavors that made up a Banana Spilt, the three original ice cream flavors. A few select moments passed, and then they received their ice creams. “Here you go, Peppita.” Sophia handed her the pink colored treat.

 

The girl smiled brightly when she took the treat in her hands, “Thank you, Sophia-chan.”

 

“You're welcome.” Sophia grinned back.

 

Slowly and cautiously she approached Albel. She knew he wouldn't be able to understand a word she was about to say, but maybe, just maybe, her expressions could get the point across. “I don't know if they have ice cream on Elicoor II, I never really thought about it before, and I have no idea if you like ice cream in general…but, Vanilla seems like the appropriate choice in flavor for you. So, here.” She held the food out to him, and he took it from her, gently. With a nod, she let out a little giggle.

 

Maybe this wouldn't be all that hard, it might not be all that bad, she would get to spend some time with Albel, so that would be nice….right?

 

They continued their gait down the weary sidewalks, dirtied by years of abuse. Gadgets and gizmos that were all seen as top of the line here were just out dated devices to her, and all of the new and unused furniture and other personal items such as that, where just antiques to her eyes-they were not modern or contemporary, rather, they were retro and old. She felt like an outsider, in this rustic place.

 

(-)-(-)

 

They were leaving the museum with the book, it had taken quite a while, but the owner of the said museum understood the situation and security tapes helped to prove their story. Mirage couldn't help the sigh that escaped her lips. What where they to do? Her mind felt frazzled, but, her face never showed her emotions. While she wasn't emotionless, she had very good control over the emotions she let others see and the emotions she only let herself know she had.

 

“I think, our best move, will be to see Blair. And our best course to get to Blair would be to go through the Time Gate. Hopefully, it will still be working.” Fayt's voice rang out to the other members of the group, the tone held that of a leader, and Mirage couldn't help but feel a odd sensation known as déjà vu. Her bones ached with the recognition of a journey. She guessed that this adventure would not be of the epic proportions as their previous one had been, but, that it would help to bring together and unite this band of `heroes'.

 

After all of this was through, and with the positive outlook that everyone would survive, Mirage couldn't help but wonder, if the three of their group that had suddenly disappeared, would no longer be outcasts when they returned. There wasn't much else she could ponder when it came to that choice of topic; she could only hope that the outcome would be a happy one. She wasn't one for a tragedy and she didn't know many who were.

 

Worry and concern was evident on all of their faces, though, Mirage had the nasty thought that how she felt towards the days events were the only true ones. That the others, purely out of appearance, held the emotions of anxiety and apprehension; that they went through the motions without any true soul behind it all. Yet, when she looked at Fayt's face…such horrid thoughts left within the seconds that they had appeared. For, in that moment that she looked at him, she could only make out a face much too old than it should be, and an image from a year ago flashed into her mind. The image of Fayt when she had first met him-without Sophia-yet, now it seemed he had aged double the amount. After all, Sophia was not his only friend lost to him at the moment, Albel and Peppita were gone too.

 

The disappearance of the three was hard on them all. It was selfish of her to think otherwise, but, she remembered the way Albel, Sophia, and Peppita spent time with each other last year. Remembered how the others, beside her, had practically ignored them. Perhaps, just like the old book they had found, this journey…adventure…story…was to teach all of them a lesson.

 

With that muse in mind, Mirage speculated what her lesson could possibly be; only to come to the conclusion that she would be better off not to even know, until the lesson was learned and stored safely in her memory. Yes, that seemed to be her best move, thus, she followed the rest out of the museum front doors.

 

(-)-(-)

 

Cold; that was the first thing Albel noted as he licked the soft treat that Sophia had handed to him. He had the distinct impression that what he ate, at the moment, was not all too healthy. This came about due to the large amount of sugar he could taste in the substance. He had no idea what the said substance was, but he could identify the flavor, which he happened to like. He just had no idea how to tell the two females this, which only helped to piss him off. Add in the fact that he was in an unknown place, in unfamiliar clothes, and unprotected just pissed him off even more.

 

Right at that moment, life sucked, though, he had to admit that whatever the treat was-tasted really good.

 

The two talked and those unknown words bombarded his ear drums. He hated those foreign words. He really hated them! Why was it that the little brat who, if his knowledge was correct, was not from this planet, able to understand the woman?

 

He was angered now and worse yet, he had finished off that cold food, and so, he had not a single thing to keep his mind off of the events before him. That was, until he felt the brat give his hand a squeeze. He looked down at her and saw the sad smile that played off her lips. Traces of pink cream could be seen on her checks and around her lips, so, with his-what-would-be-clawed hand; he wiped the pink from her face.

 

He just smirked at the young girls confused eyes. He wasn't known to laugh or even to chuckle at such things, thus, a reaction such as that was not met. And, as the brat dragged him towards some building that the woman was headed towards, Albel couldn't help but condemn the silence. Normally, he loved it, but, right now, he hated it. He wasn't used to the silence, which now governed, over the two individuals in front of him. He wasuse to the non stop chatter of the two.

 

As they walked into the run down building, the sight of many people who looked worn out and dirty met him. Just where in the name of hell where they? They had no reason to be in such an un-tasteful place. At least, Albel didn't think they did. But, he knew not a thing of this planet, and even less of this time period of this `Earth', so maybe he was wrong. Either way, he could not even inform the two of his thoughts. He was mute, and he couldn't stand how it made him feel dumb. He wanted to smash the silence. He didn't want it anymore.

 

The more he thought of the silence sure to imprison him, he couldn't take it. Before, he was silent because he wanted to be, he took silence over noise because he wanted it be that way. Before, he had a say, but at the present, he had no control over silence. He had no idea how long they would be stuck here either. He felt like a weakling-in this silent place.

 

(-)-(-)

 

Rust, it's fragile on its own, with one wrong move, it can break in an instant.

 

Silence, it's delicate too, with one small sound…silence can be broken.

 

All either one takes is a small amount of pressure…

 

And a desire for them to be smashed.

 

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A/N: Well, that's the end of the chapter. At first, this chapter was so hard to write, but then I got into it and it started to flow right out. I don't have much to say here, except, that I will update more frequently now and please tell me what you think of it in a review. Take care!

 

-LilyGinnyBlack-