AN: I do not own the Slayers and make no profit.

He felt a brief moment of surprise as he was disarmed. In a flash he felt the hardness of the wooden sword on his throat. And then a mixture of pride and sadness bubbled within him as, for the first time, one of his children had bested him at sword play.

He watched as Gwynn's big blue eyes widened in astonishment and a huge grin erupted on her face as she realized her achievement. "Yay Gwynn!" Garrett yelled as he ran up and clapped her on the back, "That was amazing!"

A reddish tint rose to her face as she lowered her practice sword and looked at the ground in her shy manner. Gourry wrapped an arm around her, "Well done. Let's go home and tell your mother."

She nodded, and together the three of them set off to the house. Gourry kept his arm securely around her as he marveled at her talent. Of his children she was the only one who had inherited it. And while he had expected his daughters to follow in their mother's footsteps and become sorceresses, he could not have been more pleased with her.

Lucia did study magic. White magic that is. While Lina appreciated the practical aspect, she was befuddled by how any child of hers could go for something so not flashy. Gourry was amused and supportive of her decision to remain in Seyruun to train to be a Shrine Maiden, even if leaving her behind had broken his heart. He had always known they would grow up and flee the nest one day. He just did not think it would have come so fast!

Glynn was the one who had taken up black magic. Obsessively. Even Lina thought he should broaden his interests. He studied it solely to the exclusion of all else (well, with the exception of Molly Antlewood who lived five doors down). The sword was something he wouldn't even touch. Gourry kept his disappointment under wraps while Lina openly chastised him for it. He'd strike back by maintaining that as he didn't have a time of the month he had no need to worry about it.

While he was sad that his only son could not be bothered with it, he understood why. Just a few months shy of fifteen, he was barely taller than his diminutive mother. And he was as scrawny as a beanpole. Worse was the sad fact that the seizure he had as an infant had left him weak on his left side. He limped when he walked, and he just didn't have a lot of physical strength. The fortitude that his twin had in abundance had completely bypassed him. And he was exceedingly self-conscious about it. Whatever it was that had caused him to be born small and feeble had clung to him persistently. Which was why he devoted himself to black magic. It was the way he had found to compensate.

And then there was Gwynn, who stood only a few inches shorter than Gourry with broad shoulders and straw colored hair that she kept braided. She rarely talked, most likely because between Lucia and Glynn she just did not have much of an opportunity. And while she had no magical capacity whatsoever, she shined when she was on the sparring field.

"I don't think I've ever seen anyone best Uncle Gourry!" Garrett said as they walked. Just as he and Lina had left Lucia behind in Seyruun so she could train with Sylphiel and Amelia, they had taken two of Sylphiel's children with them so they could pursue their interests. "That was incredible! The boys won't believe it."

Gwynn turned a flaming shade of crimson and Gourry said, "It was bound to happen one day. She keeps getting better."

And I keep getting older, he mused to himself.

"Did…" she started to ask, and then her voice trailed off.

"What?" he asked.

"You said once that you learned from your father." She said nervously. His family of origin wasn't something he talked about much. Not even to her. "Did you ever best him?"

Gourry squeezed her shoulder, "I did."

But it was not the proud moment for his father that it was for him. For his father, it heralded the realization that he now had competition. "I wonder what your mother is making for dinner." He said to change the subject.

"Well, it smells like something is burning." Garrett said as they approached the house.

Gourry nodded as he walked a little faster. Finally the house was in view and they quickly entered it to find that it was swiftly filling with smoke. "Lina!" Gourry called.

"The oven." Gwynn said.

"Not again." Garrett added as Gwynn opened the oven and flames leaped out.

"Lina! Glynn!" Gourry called as he opened the backdoor.

"Dammit!" Lina swore as she ran into the house, "Aqua Create!"

She doused their dinner as Glynn and Maria followed them into the house. "Let me guess." Garrett said, "You three got busy experimenting with some spell again."

"In a nutshell!" Glynn said enthusiastically.

"Well, this is ruined." Lina said as she pulled the remains of what should have been baked chicken from the oven.

"It's just as well," Gourry said as he put a hand on her back. "We should go out to celebrate tonight!"

"Celebrate?" Lina asked.

Gwynn looked down shyly as Gourry wrapped her into a sideways hug, "Tell them." He encouraged.

She smiled timidly as she said, "I bested Daddy in a swordfight."

"No way!" Glynn exclaimed.

Lina clapped her on the shoulder, "Way to go, Gwynn! I knew you'd do it one day! Your father is right, this does call for a celebration. Where are we eating at?"

"Would Hajaka's be good?" she asked.

"If that's what you want." Gourry said. "Everyone ready?"

"Stop yammering and get to bed before the neighbors start complaining!" Lina yelled as she passed Glynn and Garretts' room.

"We are in bed!" Glynn hollered back. Lina's hands clenched into fists and she yet again was reminded that he would make a good lawyer. A booming sound of a body falling out of bed smacked her ears, followed by raucous laughter as Glynn amended, "Well, now I'm out, but I'll get back in!"

Lina gritted her teeth as she threw the door open. "Do I have to toss a fireball in here?" she screamed.

Garrett sat on the bed and saluted her, "No, Aunt Lina. We're going to sleep."

Glynn nodded, his blue eyes beaming with fake innocence. "You won't hear a peep from us for the rest of the night."

Lina narrowed her gaze, "Good. We've got a long day's journey ahead of us tomorrow, and everyone needs to be well rested."

"I still don't see why I can't stay here." Glynn whined.

"I thought I wasn't going to hear one more peep from you!" Lina yelled.

"But I didn't say 'peep…'"

"What the, listen and then shut your mouth and go to sleep! We're celebrating your sister's birthday together as a family. And because you're not sixteen, you can't go off on your own and do whatever you please. So bright and early tomorrow we're leaving for Seyruun and having a happy family reunion, got it?"

"But you were on your own when you were thirteen."

Lina's face reddened as she found herself ignoring all of the advice people had given her about dealing with him and let him draw her into the argument. "There were extenuating circumstances. Besides, you just want to stay here to bat your eyes at Molly Antleberry and she's not in your league."

Glynn reddened, "How dare you say that about Molly!"

"Just be ready to go tomorrow! And go to sleep!" she said as she closed the door before he could find another way to aggravate her, wondering how it was that Glynn and Glynn alone was able to get under her skin so badly.

She passed the room that Gwynn and Maria were sharing and paused. They were talking softly. Battling Glynn had left her too tired to even tell them to go to bed. And it wasn't as if they were being obnoxious. So she continued to her bedroom and shut the door. Gourry was sitting on the edge of the bed, tending his armor.

Lina sat at the vanity and started to brush her hair. "I swear, every day Glynn seems to get more and more annoying!"

"Don't be too hard on him, Lina." He said, "It's a difficult age."

"Lucia and Gwynn have never given us such problems!"

"Well, it's not like he really gets in trouble, is it?"

"The way he keeps making mooneyes at Molly Antleberry like some idiot…"

"You don't mind when Gwynn does it to Garrett." He pointed out.

Lina stopped brushing her hair, "She does?"

"She doesn't say anything but she has a serious crush on him." Gourry said calmly.

"What makes you say that?"

"She blushes every time he talks to her."

"Gourry, she blushes every time someone who isn't family talks to her!"

"It's gotten worse the longer she's gotten to know him." He said, "And I caught her once on the sparring field underperforming to let him win."

"You what?" Lina exclaimed.

"Don't worry. I already set her straight. Told her a real man wouldn't be threatened by her strength."

"Oh brother. And they're under the same roof!"

"He doesn't see her that way." Gourry said quietly.

Lina's eyes narrowed. "I'll have his hide for that!"

Gourry smiled as he stowed his armor. It was strange that while Glynn had always been the frail twin, Gwynn was the one who somehow incited a fierce desire in others to protect. "I've been thinking a lot about which one to give the sword to. It has to be Gwynn."

"I thought that would have been obvious." Lina said as she sat the brush down and climbed into bed. "She's the only one who's any good with it after all."

"It's more than that." Gourry said as he pulled the covers up around them, "She is very talented. And she's also the most defenseless on her own."

Lina nodded in agreement. Somehow the magical capacity that she had and Lucia and Glynn had in abundance had completely bypassed her. Gwynn could not cast anything more complex than a light spell! "And she and Glynn seem set on traveling once they turn sixteen."

"It's more than that, though." He said. "Both Lucia and Glynn seek power."

"What's wrong with that?" she asked as she snuggled up to him.

He wrapped an arm around her and started to stroke her hair. "Too much is a bad thing. And both are already so powerful to start with. Gwynn doesn't care about such things. And that's why she deserves the sword. Because she won't abuse it."

"You don't think Lucia or Glynn would…."

"No!" he cried, "But Gwynn would be the least likely to do anything stupid with it."

"When are you going to give it to her?" she asked.

"For her birthday. I want her train with it for a year before she leaves." He was quiet for a moment before he said, "And we need to tell Lucia and Glynn first, before we give it to her. I don't think Glynn will care. He won't even come close to the sparring fields. It's Lucia I'm worried about."

Lina thought for a moment and then nodded. While Lucia was pursuing white magic she had studied sword play a little bit. She didn't have Gwynn's raw talent, but she could hold her own, though granted she was not even on par with Lina's skill. And as the oldest she might have always assumed that the legendary Blast Sword would be hers one day. And Lina was sure that Lucia could think of some experiments to run with it. "So you're going to tell her when we get to Seyruun."

"That's the plan. We need to get out, just the three of us. Then we'll pull Glynn aside. And then we'll surprise Gwynn for her birthday." He said, his voice betraying little of the nervousness he felt. What if Lucia pitched a fit over it?

Lina was silent for a moment before softly saying, "I think I should teach Glynn that spell for his birthday."

Gourry stopped stroking her hair momentarily, "What spell?"

"You know. The Giga Slave."

"The dangerous one that could destroy the world?"

"That's the one."

Gourry exhaled.

"I mean, there's a lot of dangerous things out there." Lina said, "The world probably wouldn't be here if I hadn't have cast it. I'd much rather him know it and not need it then to need it and not know it."

"That makes sense." He said.

Lina smiled tiredly, "You know, I could have sold my research into that spell to the guild for a fortune, but I never did. The less people who know it the better. That's why I want to keep it in the family. Glynn's reckless, but no more so than me when I was his age."

"If that's what you think is best." He said, "At least he has some sort of legacy. I wish we had something for Lucia."

A loud bang sounded from the boys' room before Lina could respond. She groaned as a trickle of laughter and talk followed. She tore back the covers, "If I've told you once I've told you a thousand times! Go to sleep!"

"Farewell, my sweet Molly." Glynn lamented as they reached the outskirts of Zefiel City. He stared at the unresponsive back of his mother as Gwynn smiled at him.

"You know we will be back in a few months." She said in their shared language. No one else understood it but them.

"I know." Glynn replied in the same tongue.

"Then why are you making such a big deal over it?"

He smiled, "Because it drives Mom nuts."

"I don't understand why you like to annoy her so much. She's scary when she's mad."

"I'm not scared of her." Glynn replied. "Though to be honest I really don't like Molly that much."

"So that's why you've not gone down to ask her out." She said as she tussled his hair.

"Hey!" he said as he batted her hand away, "Just because you're a head taller doesn't mean you get to rub it in!"

"Would you two stop yammering in that gibberish and let the rest of us in on your conversation?" Garrett asked as he put a hand on each other their shoulders.

"Sorry." Gwynn stammered as she turned beat red.

Glynn smiled, "It's not like we're talking about you or anything."

"I think it's fascinating." Maria said, "How did you come up with your own language?"

Glynn and Gwynn looked at each other and shrugged, "It just happened." He said. "We didn't do it deliberately or anything."

Lina nodded, "Yeah. They've been doing it since they were babies. They learned human as they were creating their own language. At first I thought you two were just babbling at each other. But then I started to notice that what one babbled seemed to mean something to the other one. I thought I was going crazy until another woman in Zefiel City who had several twins told me that they come up with their own language."

"Wow. Does Lucia understand it?" Maria asked.

Gwynn and Glynn shared a laugh. "She likes to pretend like she does!" Glynn said.

"I'm surprised you allow this, Aunt Lina." Garrett said, "For all you know they could be talking about you!"

"If they want to talk about me, they're going to talk about me." Lina said. "Besides, I figured it was a strength of theirs that could be useful one day. And I'm not one to stifle strength."

"You just can't stand weakness." Glynn muttered in twin speak.

"Neither can you." Gwynn replied.

"There they go again." Garrett said.

"Why does it bother you so much?" Glynn asked.

"I just don't like feeling left out."

Glynn clasped his sister on the shoulder as he resumed in their private language, "Well Gwynnie, may be not all hope is lost if he doesn't want to feel left out!"

Gwynn's eyes widened, "Leave it alone! There's no way it would happen!"

Garrett's eyes narrowed, "Now I know you're talking about me!"

"You okay?" Lina asked as Glynn stopped by a tree stump and set his weaker leg against it. He'd held up well through the morning, but a few hours after they had stopped for lunch he had started to lag behind a little.

"Nothing, I just need to stretch my leg out is all." He said.

There was a strange look in her eyes as she watched him, a strange look that she often wore when confronted with his frailties. He hated weakness as much she did and went to great lengths to hide it, to say that he just needed to stretch, but she knew how taxing traveling was for him. And she worried how he would fair as a traveling sorcerer.

"Why don't we try some of those variations on the Blast Ash spell we were talking about?" Lina asked as she put a hand on his back. "I mean, it'd be a shame to let that perfectly good clearing go to waste."

He grinned, "You're on!"

"Where are you two going?" Garrett called from down the road.

"We're getting in some practice." Glynn said.

Soon all six of their party was in the clearing. Gourry sparred with Gwynn and Garrett while Lina, Glynn, and Maria worked on spell research. After an hour they got back on the road again, chatting amiably with one another. Garrett and Maria hung back from the group to talk and Lina and Glynn took the middle, chatting excitedly about some of the results they got, the break giving him the second wind he needed. Gourry wrapped his arm companionably around Gwynn as they headed the front. Once again she had bested him.

Gourry smiled as he thought about how traveling always seemed to bring out the best in everyone. Particularly Lina and Glynn. Both shared a strong sense of wanderlust and got antsy if they hung around one place for too long. The weeks before traveling were always full of fights and bickering between the two that seemed to vanish on the open road.

Though, he amended to himself as the tenor of the conversation changed, not completely.

"When are you going to teach me the Giga Slave?" he asked.

"Who told you about that spell?" she asked, her voice rising in pitch as his question completely caught her off guard, "I'm damn sure that you didn't read about it."

Gourry winched. It was a low blow. Reading was one of the things that Glynn hated to do. Gourry could relate. One day after a heated argument with Lina when he was a young boy he found Glynn sulking in the woods. "Reading just doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?" he had asked.

Glynn looked at him warily as he continued, "I know when I try to do it it's hard to remember what sounds go with what letters."

"That's normal for you." Glynn countered, "You can't remember anything!"

Gourry sat beside him and put an arm around him, "What's it like when you try to read?"

Glynn was quiet for a moment before answering, "I keep trying but it's still so hard! And Mom just says I'm not paying attention or trying…"

He bit his lower lip as it trembled ominously. Gourry squeezed his arm gently, "It's hard for her to understand when it comes so easy to her that some things just don't come so easily to others."

Glynn turned as red as his hair as he shouted, "I knew you'd defend her! You always see her side!"

"I'm not taking sides, I'm just making sure everyone understands everyone." Gourry said calmly. "I'll talk to her, too. I the meantime, I want you to know that I know you're trying and I understand how hard it is."

They sat quietly for awhile as they watched the stream flow. Finally Glynn said softly, "Thanks."

Gourry later tried to explain to Lina just how hard reading can be, but she had just told him he was making excuses for Glynn. To this day it remained a sore point between them, especially as Lina was adamant that to become truly great at sorcery you had to do your homework.

"So what if I didn't ruin my eye sight by studying for hours under a light spell?" he retorted, "I did the smart thing and listened to the things people say about you."

"Oh?" Lina asked, and out of the corner of his eye he noticed Gwynn grimace. "And what are they saying?"

"That you nearly destroyed the world by casting it to kill Hellmaster Phibrizzo."

"Well, that's a leaving a lot out." Lina said, "But that's not the point. Who did you hear about that spell from?"

"Why is it so important that you know?" he replied.

Lina grinded her teeth, "I like to keep that spell under wraps. I've never even published any of my research into it. And yes, there is a reason, and it's because the spell is very dangerous and could destroy the world. So I do have a vested interest in learning about who is talking about the spell."

"In that case," Glynn said as he folded his arms around his chest, "Aunt Luna."

Lina groaned, "Of course she would butt in. Anyway, what makes you think I'm going to teach you such a dangerous spell?"

"Because, I'm your sole child following in your footsteps."

"I pray for the fate of the world, then." Lina replied caustically.

"But Lina," Gourry said, "Didn't you say you were planning on teaching…"

"Shut up, Gourry!" Lina snapped before turning her attention back to Glynn. "Listen, if you want to mess with dangerous Chaotic Magic then you're going to have to show me that you can be trusted with it! It already worries me to no end that you can perform a Dragon Slave!"

"You're one to talk!" Glynn shot back. "What is it they call you? The Walking Force of Destruction?"

"That's rich considering how many times I've saved this world! Using the knowledge I amassed on my own, through my own hard work and research. What makes you think I'm going to give it to you on a silver platter?"

Gourry sighed, "I don't know why you're putting up such a front, Lina." He said as cluelessly as possible, "You already told me you were going to teach him when he turns fifteen."

Glynn yelped as he leapt in the air while Lina glared daggers at her husband, "Way to ruin the surprise, Gourry."

Gwynn reached her hand up to squeeze his, and out of the corner of her eye he noticed her relax. His wife might be mad at him. May be so mad that they would book two rooms instead of three for the night. Or maybe she would still want their own room so she could have his hide. But at least he had stopped Lina and Glynns' argument from becoming an explosive fight.

"It's good to be back in Seyruun." Lina said as she unpacked her bags.

Lucia smiled at her, "But when you get to Zefiria you say the exact same thing."

"Yeah, well, there's things I like about both." Lina said. "Hey Gwynn, why don't you share your news with your sister?"

"Oh," Gwynn said as she fiddled with a stray lock of hair that had come loose from her braid, "I bested Daddy in a sword fight."

"No way!" Lucia exclaimed, her blue eyes wide. As an adult even Lina could not deny her resemblance to Luna. And every day she thanked her lucky stars that Lucia had the sense to wear her hair long.

Gwynn nodded shyly as Lucia let out a low whistle. "Never doubted your could do it. So, are you and Glynn still set on monster hunting in another year?"

Gwynn nodded as Lucia's eyes suddenly tracked something her mother was unpacking. "What's in that box?"

"Oh," Lina said as she hurriedly stowed it in the drawer. "Nothing. How is training going here?"

"Fantastic!" Lucia said, "I'm making a name for myself as an exorcist. For whatever reason Seyruun has been plagued with a lot of hauntings lately. Keeps me busy and entertained."

"Hunting ghosts?" Lina asked as she folded a pair of pants.

"Not hunting, vanquishing them to other realms is more like it." Lucia corrected.

"My daughter the ghost vanquisher. Hm. I like it." She said contemplatively, "So, does anyone have any idea what's behind this uprising in activity?"

"Well," Lucia began as someone knocked on the door.

"I'll get it." Gwynn said, figuring that the conversation from then on out would go over her head. She swiftly walked through the apartments and opened the door to find Benny, Zel and Amelia's sole child, standing there holding a platter with a lemon meringue pie on it.

"Hi Gwynn." He said softly, his big green eyes shining, "I heard that you just got back."

"Yes." Gwynn said plainly, surprised that it wasn't Amelia or Zel or one of her parents' other friends. "Are you here to see Lucia?"

"No, actually," he stammered as he held the platter up, "I made this pie earlier. I thought you might want it."

"Oh." Gwynn said as she blushed and stared at the pie, "But I don't like lemon meringue."

"Oh." Benny said, looking slightly crestfallen as footsteps reverberated through the hallway and Glynn suddenly squeezed his way into the door around Benny.

"Lemon meringue, awesome!" Glynn said as he grabbed the pie and made a bee-line for the couch. "Where are your manners, Gwynn, invite him in already!"

Glynn stuffed his face with pie as Gwynn blushed even more fiercely, "Of course, do you want to come in?"

"Yes." Benny said as Gourry followed him into the room.

"Hey Benny, you doing okay?" he asked.

"Yes, Uncle Gourry." Benny said as he took a seat.

"How are your parents?"

"They're well. There's some big negotiations going on that's keeping them tied up, but I'm sure they'll be down for dinner."

"Can't wait to see them." Gourry said before making his exit, "Excuse me, I haven't seen Lucia in awhile."

"Benny, this is delicious!" Glynn proclaimed as he licked his fingers.

"I know." Benny replied.

"Did you make it?"

"Yes. I didn't make it for you though."

"Who would have thought that a royal would make such a good cook?" Glynn mused as Benny shifted uncomfortably as Glynn continued, "So tell me, where do all of the cute girls hang out around here?"

Benny blushed as his eyes flickered towards Gwynn briefly, "Well…"

Glynn's eyes widened. "Gwynn? You like Gwynn? Hey, Sis! Looks like you've got a prince for a suitor! Between Garrett and Benny you will have your pick! But which will you choose?"

Benny's mouth hung open as a rare look of anger flashed through Gwynn's eyes. "That's not funny!" she said before getting up and heading to her room.

Glynn shrugged nonchalantly as he licked the remains of the lemon meringue pie from the platter. "So," he asked with a devious grin, "What are your intentions towards my sister?"

"One of the pitfalls of being a Shrine Maiden is that no one ever takes you out to dinner." Lucia said as she peered at the menu.

Lina looked at her, with her long purple hair that fell around her round, symmetrical face and covered her enviable body, curvy in the right places, slender where it counts. It was no surprise she turned heads wherever she went. "No one forced you to become a Shrine Maiden!" Lina pointed out, "And it's not like it's a lifelong commitment. I do want grandchildren one day you know."

Lucia shrugged as the waiter came up and they placed their orders. It was after the main course was demolished and they were waiting on dessert that Gourry exchanged a glance with Lina, who cleared her throat. "Your father and I have something we need to talk to you about."

"Oh?" Lucia said as she sat her wine glass down.

Lina looked at Gourry, "It's about the Blast Sword." He said, "Gwynn's birthday is coming up. And since she's the swordswoman and since she can't use magic, I'm going to give it to her."

There was a tense moment of silence as Lucia drained her wine in one gulp. She snapped her fingers to get the attention of her waiter, "Can I have a fresh glass?"

The waiter nodded and scurried off as Lina and Gourry watched her tensely. Nervously Gourry continued, "I know you're the oldest…"

"But you never told me it would be mine." Lucia said quietly with a small smile. "It hurts. I'm not going to lie. But I can't think of anyone who deserves it more than Gwynnie."

Gourry relaxed noticeably as he got up to hug her and plant a kiss on the crown of her head. He sat back down so they were eye level as he said, "Where I came from people would rather kill than give the sword to the best one for it. I'm proud of you."

"Well, this is a first." Lina said as she scooted off Gourry's lap as Glynn came charging into the apartment.

"What?" he asked.

"You getting home before your sister."

"Gwynn's not home?" He asked before shrugging, "Well, I'm just stopping by. Needed to pick up something."

"Do you have a minute?" Gourry asked, patting the seat beside him.

He sighed as he sat down, "What did I do this time?"

"Nothing." Gourry said, "We just need to talk to you about the Blast Sword."

His dark blue eyes lit up, just like his mother's did when she eyed something valuable. "You're giving it to me?"

The hope that saturated his voice was unmistakable. Lina and Gourry exchanged a befuddled look before Gourry said, "Well, actually, we're giving it to Gwynn on her birthday."

Gourry felt tension surge through him as Glynn looked down, his expression dark. "Of course. On the day she was born she got all of the strength and height. So of course she would get the sword."

Lina scowled, "What do you want it for anyway? It's not as if you've ever picked up a sword."

"Because the Blast Sword is so powerful it wouldn't matter!"

The look of disappointment Gourry sent him made him even more defensive as he said, "I raised you better than that! Even a person wielding the most powerful sword in the world will lose if that person doesn't know how to use it."

"But I can use magic, too!" Glynn protested.

Lina's hand balled into a fist, "It wouldn't matter! You've never conditioned your body to fight with a sword, you've just sat on your…"

"Lina." Gourry said gently as he put a hand on her knee.

"He has to hear it, Gourry!" she snapped, "You have to work for the things you get, you have to earn them!"

"Says the woman who got rich pilfering from bandits." Glynn retorted.

Lina flushed crimson, "Oh, you are asking for it…"

Gourry squeezed her knee, "I know you're disappointed, but you do have amazing strength. You can wield tremendous power just by uttering some words. Gwynn can't do that. There are powerful creatures out there, and a regular sword won't harm them. Gwynn needs this."

"Then why aren't you on her case for not practicing magic, huh? Why are you just giving her strength and power?"

"She can't!" Lina said, "It's something you're born with! She has no magical capacity!"

"Then why don't you believe me when I say I can't read? Or that it hurts to practice with the sword or…?"

"We're not talking about any of that!" Lina shouted, "We're giving the sword to Gwynn, and you can whine and complain all you want but that's not going to change and it's final!"

"You just like Gwynn more! Everyone likes Gwynn more, and coddles her and…"

The door opened, and the matter of subject walked in. "I heard shouting." She said quietly as she took in the scene. Gourry had his head cradled in his hands while Lina and Glynn were both red faced and shaking.

"Well aren't you the observant one!" Glynn yelled as he turned to face her.

"Glynn, leave her alone." Lina said.

"Of course, rush in to defend her! Everyone takes Gwynn's side! Everyone forgets how if she hadn't have damaged me before she was born…"

"Glynn!" Gourry admonished as he stood up.

"Congrats." He said as he turned to face Gwynn, "Tell me your secret one day, about how you were a vampire in the womb and then somehow manipulated everyone's sympathies so they laid with you!"

And with that he turned to run from the apartments.

"Oh no you don't!" Lina said as she got up to run after him.

Gourry grabbed her arm, "Let him cool off."

"Not when he's acting like…"

"And when was the last time he listened to anything you said?" he asked.

Lina grunted in exasperation as she tossed her arms up. "Fine." She said as she headed towards her bedroom, leaving a very confused Gwynn with Gourry.

She looked at him, her blue eyes shimmering as she asked, "What did I do, Daddy?"