Lina Inverse sat at her table in the tavern, her dinner spread out before her. She tucked into her meal with her usual gusto. It had certainly been a while since she'd had a decent meal like this...
With a turkey leg in hand, Lina leaned back in her chair, her mind thinking back to the events of past few hours...
Following the destruction of the mansion, herself and her four travelling companions made their way back through the forest. However, this journey was more like a funeral march: They all walked in silence, each lot in their own thoughts over the terrible ordeal, they had all been through. Amelia was worst of all. Her expression was pale, her expression was panicky and she spent the entire trip in Zelgadis' arms, not wanting to leave his side for a second. Zel looked embarrassed over the situation, but he looked strangely contented.
Eventually, the five-some managed to find a way out of the forest and into a town. But there were no cheers or any elation of any kind.....
Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.
"Hey Lina! Mind if I join you?"
Lina looked up to see Gourry Gabriev approach her table, his expression bearing a great big grin.
Lina nodded. Gourry then took his seat opposite the sorceress.
"Geez Lina" Gourry said irritably, "Must you always start without me?!"
Lina momentarily paused her feeding frenzy and grinned a wolfish grin at Gourry.
"Well come on!" she said. "The time has come for you to play catch up! Hey, all this isn't going to last forever!"
That was the only excuse that Gourry needed. Without a moment's hesitation, he buried his face into the food, devouring it all at a rapid pace. Lina grinned and continued with her frenzy.
Presently, Gustav appeared and walked up to the two friends. Lina looked up and smiled.
"Hey Gustav!" she said. "Come and take a seat!"
Gustav nodded and sat down beside Lina.
"How's Amelia?" Lina inquired, between mouthfuls.
Gustav's face lit up.
"I'm pleased to report that Amelia has woken up. However she hasn't shown any signs of remembering what happened at the mansion."
Lina blinked.
"That's not all" Gustav said as he leaned closer and allowing a devilish grin spread across his face, "She is also eager to see Zelgadis. When she woke up, she told me she wanted to speak with him....."
Lina grinned a sly smile. Gourry, who had now stopped eating long enough to follow the conversation, blinked in confusion. Unfortunately, for Gourry, Lina caught his confused expression. Growling with frustration, Lina brought her foot right into Gourry's shin.
Gourry's face screwed up in pain, but no sound did he make.
Lina, then retained her sly smile as he turned back to Gustav.
"Ah yes, I had a feeling this would come...." she said with a wink.
Gustav grinned back. He knew what Lina was thinking. Furthermore, he'd seen Zel act towards the princess.
Gourry however, just blinked in confusion. He just no idea what was going on.....
Suddenly, who should approach the trio's table but the chimera himself.
"Speak of the devil..." Lina murmured.
Zelgadis Greywars advanced towards the table, his face lined with concern.
"Hiya Zel!" Lina grinned.
"Hello Lina, Gourry, Gustav." Zel replied.
"Now can anyone tell me" he continued as he leaned his fists upon the table and his voice grew with concern, "How Amelia's doing?"
Lina exchanged grins with Gustav and cleared her throat.
"You know Zel" she said, with a devilish grin, "It's funny you should mention that because Amelia has just woken up!"
Zelgadis' eyes lit up.
"Really?!"
"But of course!" Gustav said. "What's more she seemed eager to see you.'
That was all Zel needed to hear. In a flash he was gone - speeding his way towards Amelia's room, leaving the other tavern patrons blinking in astonishment.
Lina and Gustav chuckled. Gourry, oblivious to what was happening around him, continued with his meal.
Zel raced through the hallway leading to Amelia's room. He was so excited. She had finally woken up. And she was eager to see him. And hey, who was he to keep his princess waiting?
Seconds later, Zel found himself before Amelia's bedroom door. He slowed down and collected himself. He must do this right. He mustn't mess this moment up. Both of them had waited for so long for this moment: A chance where they would be alone together, a chance where they can express their love in undisturbed privacy, a chance to be together with someone they loved so dearly.
And not a vampire to worry about.....
Zel's hand reached for the door handle.....
But it never got there.
Something held Zel back..... It came in the form of a dagger slowly sliding its way across his neck...
And then came a voice. A voice that was a both a sweet as a morning bird's song but as sharp as a butcher's cleaver.
A voice that Zel had hoped to never hear again.
"Hello Zelgadis" Isabella purred.
WHAT?!!? You mean there's MORE?!!?
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