Tis' The Season

The Tale of the Firebrand and the Icicle

What Partridge?

Here's my christmas fic. Hope all enjoy. I'm making the slayers gang a bit older but not much will be changed. And, as the title suggests I'm goofing with the idea of the twelve day of christmas. I will warn people I'm a bit inebriated while doing this so there might be some goofs here and there...and for those that can understand japanese I just have one explanation: Watashi wa sake ga suki desu. (And, now I have to go ask for forgiveness because I typed that in romaji).

"Well that concludes our class I hope you all have a good break and have a merry christmas," came the cheerful voice from the redheaded professor that stood at the front of the class.

As the students filed out of the class; Lina Inverse professor of literature, smiled as each student passed. If there was one think that could cause Lina to smile like a child it was the idea that the holidays were just on the horizon. Lina Inverse had always loved the holidays since she was a child and could not help but ooze holiday spirit as the winter semester came towards the end. After all the students had said their goodbyes and left Lina gathered her things and walked out of the classroom. As she made her way towards her office she could hear a familiar voice from down the hall, "Well I hope everyone enjoys their break, class dismissed."

Lina smirked while shaking her head at the nonchalant ending from her fellow professor. Lina stopped outside the door of the class and watched as students filed out of the room. She looked inside to see the one and only Zelgadis Greywords watching as his class moved out into the hall. Lina had know Zelgadis since she had come to Sailoon University as an associate professor, and Zelgadis a professor of history, had been selected as her mentor. At first Lina, like most people at the university, thought Zelgadis was quite the antisocial person. But, as time went along Lina began to see that Zelgadis was not a total antisocial but a very quiet person that just did not feel that he needed to give his opinion when it came to the workings of the university. After the last student left Lina watched as Zelgadis began to gather up his books. Lina leaned on the door before saying, "I see you're being your normally cheerful self."

Zelgadis looked up at the voice and removed his reading glasses from his nose before replying, "Lina, you know that I'm not a great fan of the holidays. It's just a break and that is all."

Lina frowned at Zelgadis' statement. She had hoped that all her work to liven him up would have shown some progress but he remained the giant block of ice that he was called. Lina knew about the the jokes that were pointed at both of them by the student body. Most students knew Zelgadis as a block of ice that might not be human from the way that he ran his classes and how he accepted no excuse when it came to work for his classes. Whereas, the student body knew Lina as quite the firebrand around the campus. Lina was known as a passionate teacher with a short fuse that you did not want to light. There were some students that even joked that they were surprised that they did not see steam when Zelgadis and Lina where in the same room. Lina could not help but wish that Zelgadis would lighten up while she replied, "Well, if you would give the holiday's a chance then maybe you would be able to see the magic behind it."

Zelgadis cocked an eyebrow before asking, "What is magic about it? It's cold, dark, and has every setting to be one of the loneliest times of the year."

Lina ground her teeth slightly at what Zelgadis had said about her favorite time of year. "What do you mean? If you think it's cold get a better coat and turn up the heat. If it's dark go buy some christmas lights and hang them around. If that can't make you smile then nothing can. And, finally it is only lonely because you refuse to leave your home during the christmas break."

Zelgadis packed his books under his arm and began to walk down the hall with Lina while continuing their conversation, "I will give you the first point but I was also talking about how the time of year can give off a depressive feeling. As well I don't leave my home because to do so would be to go bother someone else. I have no family anywhere near here and I don't want to be a burden to someone to host me."

Lina cocked an eyebrow this time while looking at Zelgadis before replying, "I've told you that I and a few other professors don't have family in the area and we stay together for christmas every year and would be glad to have you come with us this year."

They stopped in front of Lina's office before Zelgadis replied, "Who all goes on this trip and where?"

Lina unlocked the door to her office and turned on the light before saying, "Filia, Gourry, Sylphiel, Xellos, and me go to this little mountain lodge about an hour and a half outside of Sailoon. Even a pain in the ass like you would love the scenery out there."

Zelgadis smirked at Lina's jab at him. If there was one thing that could be misconstrued by on lookers would be the name calling that they would hear from them. They knew it was just a playful game between the two of them but to most others it was just another fight between the firebrand and the ice block. Zelgadis then put a finger on his chin before saying, "I don't know...I did have a decent bit of reading planned for the break."

"Oh, pack your books and come on. It won't cause you to melt to have a little fun you old coot you," Lina continued to poke at Zelgadis.

Neither professor was that old, each being under the age of thirty, but Lina could not help but comment on how Zelgadis constantly acted like an old timer. Lina sat down in her desk chair before turning towards Zelgadis and saying, "Come on just give it a chance. If you don't like it then I will never bother you again about this."

Zelgadis smirked hearing something in Lina's voice that told him there was more, "And, if I do enjoy the time."

"Then you owe me dinner when we get back," Lina gave a peace sign as she smiled at her friend.

"Fine," Zelgadis joked as he raised his hands in defeat, "Just tell me where to meet you."

Lina smiled as she had finally convinced Zelgadis to come along. "I'll come pick you up tomorrow morning."

"See you in the morning then," Zelgadis replied as he walked towards his office while thinking, 'What have I gotten myself into?"

Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from The Slayers do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.

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