~* SLAYERS: FALLEN STARS *~
Once again, work has kicked my butt, but I made it. I also made sure I didn't release this one until I had it just the way I wanted it. I didn't want to spoil your Post-Valentine's Day treat! ^_^ Enjoy!
Chapter 13: Goodbye, Goodnight, and Don't forget a Kiss
Lina and Filia were the first to jump into the ring to help. Gourry laid on the ground too tired to move, and Torrin was hunched over on his knees in pain but thankful the ordeal was over.
"Hey, Egan," Torrin heard Lina say.
Torrin lifted up his head to see a fist come at is left eye, and he fell over into a nearby stack of hay.
Filia pulled Lina away. "Stop it!"
But the sorceress fought her grasp. "That's for putting Gourry in danger!"
"Miss Lina, calm down!" Janna pleaded as she and Samira ran up to them. Marcus, Jean, and Miranda were behind them, staring at Lina embarrassingly.
Torrin wrestled himself out of the hay. "What the hell are you trying to do to me!" he yelled, losing his temper. "I did what I could to save his life!" His voice nearly cracked because he was still feeling the shakes even though the negative energy had completely disappeared.
Lina ignored him and kneeled beside Gourry to work on his wound. She could not say it, but the last round terrified her out of her wits. The last time someone took control of Gourry she thought she would never see him again. See what you made me do Jellyfish? she mentally scolded as she turned Gourry on his side to get a better look at his injury.
Gourry moaned with exhaustion as he stared up at her. "Are you worried, Lina?"
"Worry about yourself!" she retorted. She laid her hands on his side and began healing him.
Filia knelt down in front of Torrin and gently touched the left side of his face where he had been punched feeling quite useless. She wished she could be the one who healed his wounds, but she did not want to risk another fainting spell. She could not take care of Val later if she passed out.
"You okay?" Filia asked softly.
Torrin clasped Filia's wrist and traced the outer edge of her palm with his lips. Her touch made him forget the pain he felt on his back for a moment. "I am now. Thank you, Tulip."
Filia caught the meaning and flushed. She tried to get up, but Torrin kept a firm grip on her wrist. He was not going to let her get away this time.
He leaned over to try kissing her again, but a group of big rough looking guys came over, surrounding him and congratulating him for his victory. They were the same men Torrin and the others spent lunch with. Meldrick, who he got the idea to win his final match from, and the old general who went up against Samira in her first match stepped forward and helped him up to his feet. Filia was silently thankful for the interruption. She still could not bring herself to be intimate in front of so many people.
"I knew you do it!" Exclaimed Meldrick. "Tha' wus a good match!"
Lina glared at him as she finished with Gourry's wound. "Excuse me! I think Gourry deserves a little credit here! He was possessed after all!"
"Meant no disrespect miss," Meldrick replied. "I knew wut wus happenin'. Tha' fellow 'o yours put up a good fight." He saw Gourry get up and turned to him, putting out a hand to help him up. "I wus a bit worried there. If some wacko wasn't messin' wit ya, it wouda been an even closer match."
"Thanks for the compliment," said Gourry as he took Meldrick's hand and stood up with some effort. It did not matter to him that he lost. It was only a tournament after all.
Lina stood up as well, still annoyed. She felt there ought to be a rematch, but without knowing who was behind the attacks still, it was a bad idea to risk Gourry getting hurt again over something this trivial. That did not make her feel any better though as she was rather proud of Gourry's skill.
"You're right," Torrin replied to Meldrick's comment to Gourry. "I've been training with him for a month. Its like he's either a dragon, or he's got elfish blood in him."
Torrin intended his remark to be taken in jest, but he saw Lina grin widely as she crossed her arms and replied, "Actually, he does."
"It's true!" Gourry said with an innocuous smile.
Torrin looked back and forth between Lina and Gourry. "So, that's where that natural talent comes from," praised Torrin. "I knew you weren't just an ordinary swordsman."
"Okay, enough chatting. Turn around Egan," Lina ordered, feeling a little better now. "Can't leave ya to bleed to death."
Torrin did as he was told without complaint because the sting from his back wound was getting worse, and Lina went to work. He watched the others for a minute in silence as they chatted away, and Jean went around offering challenges. Filia herself was standoffish, occasionally glancing in Torrin's direction.
He felt the warmth on his back fade as Lina finished. "Now, turned around," she said. He did.
A few seconds later as Lina was almost finished with the cut on his stomach, Torrin felt the need to apologize. His anger from before was merely reactionary and had nothing to do with Lina herself that time. "I'm sorry about Gourry. I know what he means to you."
Lina was taken off guard by his sudden politeness towards her. "H-he…I-is a good friend," she stuttered.
"And much more to you," Torrin added. He found it rather endearing that a hot-tempered sorceress could fall this hard for a simple swordsman. Her feelings were written all over her face.
"I'm done." Lina got and walked away attempting to hide her red face. I hate it when someone sees through me like that. Though she could admit to herself what she felt, she was not ready to share it with everybody else. She wanted to share it with Gourry first but just needed to find the courage to do it. Argh! This is so frustrating!
The arenas were overrun with people as they gathered for the awards ceremony. Winners of other contests ranging from pie eating to art came up to the podium one by one to claim their awards. Most of the first place prizes were money or valuable gifts, and the rest were given medals or smaller gifts. Janna herself won third place amongst more experience potters and expressed her gratitude by dragging Marcus to the podium and giving him a big kiss in front of everyone.
The night air was turning cold and windy, knocking over lamps and blowing hay straws all over the square. Rumbling clouds rolled by lighting up the sky, but there was no sign of the rain it promised. Nonetheless, the officiates of the contests hurried along giving out their awards just in case there was a sudden downpour while trying to make sure the winners were given their due applause from the crowd, and if they wished, a quick word of thanks. The last one to announce winners was the most anticipated weapons tournament. Gourry went up first to claim his medal and small bag of money amongst deafening cheers.
Then it was Torrin's turn. He took Filia's hand as his name was called. "Come with me." He had an idea to get through her shyness.
"W-wait, what?" She looked back at the others who were a little confused themselves, except for Janna who winked. She turned back to Torrin. "Why are you-"
"-Just come with me." Torrin pulled her through the crowd and up the steps of the podium.
"AND HERE HE IS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" the announcing old soldier boomed, and the crowd renewed its applause.
Torrin let go of Filia's walked over to claim his prize. Filia's eyes darted nervously about the mass of townspeople below her, many of whom she knew well, and was hit with sudden stage fright. She felt her knees grow week, threatening to give out from under her, and clasped her hands in front of her in an attempted keep herself calm.
The announcer handed Torrin his first place medal and a slip of paper. "Since the sum of money was too large to give to you in person, here's a bank note. Congratulations!"
"Thank you." Torrin motioned to Filia to come closer. "I wish to make this out to Filia Ul Copt."
The old soldier scratched his scraggily beard and smiled shrewdly. "I see." He turned to the crowd. "MR. EGAN HERE HAS DECIDED TO DONATE HIS WINNINGS TO THIS LOVELY LADY," he waved a hand towards Filia, "FILIA UL COPT!"
More applause erupted in praise of the gesture.
"What?" Lina blurted out. "Why on earth would give up the prize money?"
"I think it's wonderful!" said Janna. "He's showing how much he cares."
"But still!" Lina moaned. "There's probably enough on that check to live on for a full year!"
"Don't act so greedy!" Jean told her off, wrinkling his freckled nose. "Its un-ladylike. Besides, its his money."
"What do you know about being a lady, kid?" Lina snapped.
"Now, now, Miss Lina," Janna said calmly, "There's nothing to get all bent out of shape about."
Torrin handed the note over to Filia. "I have no need for this."
Filia hesitantly took the note from his hands. The amount was more than she could ever spend on herself. "T-Torrin, this is generous, but I can't…"
"Then give it to the girls," Torrin suggested. "I understand they sacrifice a lot for their work. This would be a great way to pay them back."
Filia held the note to her chest. Her heart fluttered as she gazed into his eyes with gratitude . "How can I ever thank you?"
"I know one way." Torrin put an arm around her waist, cupped her cheek with the other hand, and moved in for the kiss he had been longing for all evening.
Glowing with appreciation for the check he gave her, it took Filia a second to register the warmth of his lips on hers, and by then it was too late to push him away. She felt Torrin's tongue encourage her to part her own lips, careful to not be too forceful. Filia gradually complied to his request, putting her arms around Torrin's neck and kissing him back, albeit awkwardly.
It was obvious to Torrin she was an inexperienced kisser, but he was more than happy to show her, wrapping his arms tighter and deepening the kiss further. He had finally broke through her shyness.
The crowd responded with whistles and 'Oohs!' Janna's voice carried above them, yelling, "Way to go, Miss Filia!" Many people around her burst out laughing.
With the excitement of the tournament dying down, there was not much left to do. The skies were literally talking in thunder rolls, but still not one drop of rain showed itself, while the air grew colder. Filia rubbed her hands on her exposed shoulders as the whole group made their way out of the town square and into a more direct path of the Eastern wind. Samira kindly offered her cape.
Jean decided to take this opportunistic lull in excitement to question Lina. "How do I train to become a sorcerer?"
Lina had almost forgotten about him. She had been eyeing Torrin and Filia ever since they came down from the podium hand in hand, feeling stupid for not seeing what was going on and even a little jealous of the fact that Filia had managed to make the leap she was too scared to take. She scratched her head nervously, turning her thoughts away to less selfish things. "Well, there are guilds all over the peninsula back home, but I doubt that could be an option for you."
"Do you know about anyone who trained outside of one?" asked Jean.
"Only a few, but most of them are mediocre," Lina replied. "The rest were apprenticed."
Jean thought on this for a moment. "Then, can I be your apprentice?"
"Hell no!" she burst out. "I'll be leaving in a week and wouldn't have any time to properly teach you anything!"
"Then I'll come with you! Please?" he pleaded. It was hard to do so, but this was probably his only chance, so was not going to pass it up by any means, including dealing with Lina's attitude.
Miranda, of course, immediately objected. "But Jean! What about your mother! She would never let you go!"
"Then how am I supposed to learn?" Jean cried. "If I always stayed here, then I'll never become a sorcerer!"
"Alright!" Lina quickly gave in. "I'll take ya, but only if you can convince your mother."
A huge grin crossed Jean's face at her words, and he pumped his fist into the air. "Yes!" He grabbed Miranda's hand. "Let's go home and ask her right now!"
"Wait a minute," Gourry put a hand on his shoulder. "Take this with you." He handed over his medal to Jean.
"Are you sure?" Jean asked, staring at it.
He tried handing it back, but Gourry pushed it away. "You showed everyone out there what a great fighter you were. Nobody believed you could get as far as you did."
Looking back over the event of the day, Jean knew there was no way he could have done it on his own. He had almost given up several times, but someone was always there to push him along. Even Miranda's protests made him more determined to keep going. Yet Gourry wanted to honor his efforts.
Jean's eyes watered. "Thank you," he said reverently, then took off running with Miranda in tow.
Gourry then turned to Lina and handed his bag of money. "Here."
Lina's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "What?" She began to put her hands out but stopped and looked over to Filia and Torrin who were watching curiously. She whined to herself. "No, you won it. Its yours," she finally said.
"Okay, if you say so," said Gourry. His voice sounded almost like he was teasing. "I guess I'll go enjoy a nice meal all by myself." He deliberately began walking towards the restaurant district.
"Hold on!" Lina charged after him. "I'll bet you the whole bag I can finish before you!"
"Food is all they think about," Filia said shaking her head as she turned to Janna. "I have something for you." She gave her the check. "Split this up with the other girls."
Janna stared. "Y-you can't be serious?"
"It was Torrin's idea," said Filia.
Janna hugged her tightly, trying not to break down in tears then rushed towards Torrin and threw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. Samira and Marcus were not left out. Janna was so beside herself she could not think of anything to say and left for home clinging to Marcus' arm for support.
Samira figured it was time for her to take off as well. "Its been a wonderful evening, but I must be going." She hugged Filia and kissed her on the cheeks properly saying goodbye. "I will come by tomorrow."
"Don't forget this." Filia took Samira's cape off.
"I'll pick it up later. It'll be one more reason for me to visit you," Samira said, smiling. To Torrin she only replied, "Nár lagaí Rangórt do lámh!"
Filia curiously watched her walk away as she put the cape back on. "What did she say?"
"May Rangort not weaken your hand," said Torrin as he stroked Filia's hair to get her attention. "It's a blessing you bestow on a fellow warrior."
They were alone now. Torrin reached under Filia's cape to encircle her waist and drew her in for more kisses, never minding anyone staring as they passed by.
Filia was still very self-conscious making out in front of other people and gently pulled away. Her face grew hot in spite of the chilly night air and wind gusts causing chaos in the street.
Torrin went after her right ear instead. "Still nervous?" he asked sweetly after a couple of kisses.
"I'm not very good at this," Filia confessed.
"Takes practice." His mouth made its way down to her neck.
"I…have to go take care of Val,…and I have to get up…early…tomorrow…," the strength in Filia's voice failed at the end of her sentence as her breathing grew heavy, and she became very aware of every part of her body Torrin touched. Torrin ignored her request and continued to work on her neck.
He was so tempted to take it further and bring her home to continue, but there was need for self restraint on his part. He was too used to being with more experienced dragonesses. Filia was barely of age as it was, and he did not want to scare her away. Making that mistake once was more than enough.
When he felt her hands come down to his chest, Torrin pulled himself away and took a deep breath to keep himself calm. "Do you want me to come with you?-To-help…with Val?" He did not want it to sound like he was implying something else.
Filia touched the spot on her neck where he had been kissing her. "Its okay. I have to go to bed right after I'm done anyway," she smiled timidly. "People will be picking up their bigger purchases tomorrow, and we'll need everyone to be there."
"Alright," Torrin pulled her into a hug. "I think Gourry's going to need my help with Lina anyway."
Filia giggled. There was to telling what Lina was willing to do for money. "Then I'll see you tomorrow."
"Just a second." Torrin bent down and managed to catch her lips this time. He did not let go of her until he was satisfied. "Goodnight, Tulip."
"…Goodnight…" Filia breathed. She back out of his arms never taking her eyes of him until she was a few feet away, then turned around and began walking towards her shop.
Her heart was singing. Filia hurried home navigating the windy streets, trying to beat the storm before her legs collapsed from the happiness running through her entire being. She could not wait for tomorrow to be over and done, so they could spend with Torrin. She had a whole week before her visit with Amelia, and it would the perfect beginning to a long-awaited vacation, monsters be damned.
Filia turned the corner onto her street, which was still filled with festival goers despite the weather. Pulling Samira's cloak tighter around her, she prepared to jog the last few blocks home, but a pair of very strong arms caught her from behind and affectionately pulled her close to a tall, male body.
Surprised but not worried, she exclaimed, laughing, "Torrin! You didn't have to stalk me! If you wanted to come, you should've said something!"
The arms turned Filia around and before she could get a good look at his face in the dim lamplight flickering in the wind, she felt his lips on hers. Filia gave in and took the kiss further the best she could. It was well received, and the arms slid under the cape and around against her waist to her back, eventually tightening their hold on her. Filia started to slide her arms up his chest to his neck, and noticed for the first time the clothing did not feel anything like Torrin's. When her hands reached the shoulder, she felt hair brush against her fingers where there should not be any.
Filia stopped the kiss and slowly opened her eyes.
"Well, this is more preferable than being thrown across the room. Its nice to see a very different side of you, dear Filia."
Filia's body seized up, too shocked to move.
Xellos felt her emotions shift to that of pure horror, and her face reflected it. He grinned, waiting to see how long it would take before she found enough sense to wrench herself out of his grasp. Not that he wanted her to, but it would still be fun to watch.
"You…why…" Filia hyperventilated between each word. "It-was-you…you-did-it…how-could-you…"
"I'm flattered! You knew it was me the whole time, didn't you?" he teased.
Her arms gradually dropped from his shoulders. She took a couple of steps back, but Xellos' arms only let her move so far. One of her hands clenched into a fist, and she swung, hard, making him stumble a few feet backwards to the ground. Many people stopped and stared.
Xellos always forgot how strong Filia was as she almost never reduced herself to using brute dragon strength anymore, the nightmare incident being a rare exception for obvious reasons. Nonetheless, it was good for him to see he could still get a rise out of her. His last attempt had failed utterly, but it had interesting results he wished to investigate further.
Filia remained where she was, still hyperventilating but in anger now. "Samira could have been killed! You nearly worked Gourry death! For no reason! Even for you, that's lame!"
Xellos calmly picked himself up and dusted off his pirate hat and costume. "Must I have a reason? And by the way, what if it were someone else attacking them? I think I did your new boyfriend a favor and helped him demonstrate his ability to defend against something he can't see. That pendent doesn't guarantee you will never be touched."
The pendant? Filia took it out from underneath the cloak. I didn't see it go off!
Xellos felt her emotions shift again. Something felt off, but he did not let it show and continued to tease her. "Interesting how you didn't sense it was me, or were you still thinking of him giving you that hickey when I caught you? You sure were quick to start sucking my face without looking."
Filia blushed and grabbed her neck. "Y-you started it!"
"And you finished it," he replied.
At his comment she turned and ran.
Xellos sighed to himself. Oh dear, I might've pushed it a little too far. He was a little surprised at himself. The way he had been taunting her lately made him sound as if he was a bit jealous. A ridiculous notion of course. He could never be jealous of a dragon, and Filia… She was entertaining…and passionate. She always had been, even when he first met her and could not stand her naïve little view of the world. Filia certainly had changed, but the passionate side was still there, and had grown along with her.
Today he had a chance to feel something new from her, just when he thought he knew every part of her emotional spectrum he ever wanted to know, or thought could ever exist. Filia's reaction during their conversation and his advances last night prompted Xellos to watch her carefully throughout the evening (and having some fun while he was at it) until he finally had another chance without anyone else around to interfere. Why exactly he chose to kiss her he was not sure, but her response completely threw him.
It would have been far more enjoyable, if Filia had not mentioned Torrin's name.
A new scheme unfolded in his twisted mind as the rain finally released itself from the angry clouds above. I think I'll try a different approach. It was something Xellos had not done in a while and certainly never thought of doing with a dragon before, but that just made it all the more appealing. And there was even competition to boot.
Filia did not stop running until she reached her door. She unlocked it and hurried inside just as the first drops of rain fell. All the lights in the shop were put out, but she was able to find her way to the stairs even with her eyes closed. She heard Jillas and Gravos talking in the kitchen washing dishes as she ran up and decided to leave them alone in peace and not burden them with any grievance tonight. Her head was still racing from what just happened.
Quietly, Filia took off Samira's cape and left it on a chair by one of the windows before heading to the third floor. All she wanted to do was forget everything and hold Val as he nursed. She turned at the top of the stairs towards her room, thinking she was home free. Not so.
He found Filia standing in the middle of the hall, tired and very annoyed, and still wearing her ridiculously colorful festival costume.
Xellos thought she never looked better.
The monster took off his hat and bowed. "My dear Filia, must you retire so soon?"
"I think I've had enough embarrassment for one evening thank you," the dragoness huffed and threw the hat down. "Besides, I need to make sure I get enough rest because of Val." She tried her best to ignore the fact that she thought Xellos looked rather handsome in his pirate costume. Strange. I didn't think that way before when he and I were… don't think that! Filia shook her head blushing.
It was no use because Xellos could feel it as well. He did not often indulge in lust. Anger and fear were what usually provided him sustenance, but as long as his Mistress did not say a word, he saw no reason to deny himself.
The next moment Filia found herself set against the wall in one graceful swoop, chin tilted up by a gloved hand. The monster placed another kiss on her lips.
Filia's first reaction was to slap him, but Xellos had thought ahead and had her arms securely locked behind her with his own. Kicking was also out of the question because her legs were locked in place as well. There was nothing she could do.
As soon as Xellos felt her body relax a little he took his hand that was holding Filia's chin and traced her jaw line down to her ear softly with his fingers then caressed the back of her head. He pulled his mouth away just long enough for Filia to open hers to protest then caught it again in a deeper kiss.
Desire mixed with embarrassment crept up from Filia's chest. Her feeble attempts to suppress it failed as she slowly lost herself to the kiss.
Xellos relished the emotions the dragoness was experiencing and found himself not wanting to let go as she was becoming quite the turn-on.
When they finally broke away Filia cautiously opened her eyes feeling a little dazed and more relaxed. The monster's lips still hovered close to hers.
"Sweet Filia…" Xellos whispered as he used his free hand to caress Filia's back. He separated her arms and raised them to her shoulders against the wall while keeping her wrists secure in his grasp. He was only slightly disappointed she wasn't putting up a fight, so he decided to keep going to see what other buttons he could push with her permission before she resists, if at all.
He kissed her again with more fervor. Filia let out a little squeak of surprise at his intensity but remained hesitant on her end. It wasn't until she heard a small cry from Val's room a minute later she snapped out of it and tried tugging out of Xellos' grasp.
Her wrists wouldn't budge. What?
Xellos felt Filia tug on her arms but paid no mind at first because he was confident she could escape if she really wanted, but then a sudden fear struck through him. Curious, he broke the kiss to see what was wrong.
"Let me go!" Filia pleaded. She desperately tugged again with all her strength. He did what she asked, and she slid down the wall looking at her hands and shaking. Oh no.
"Am I missing something?" Xellos looked down at her, utterly confused.
"I'm-I'm fine." What should I say?
The familiar sinking feeling came back, making him feel nauseated. "Don't lie, Filia."
Filia didn't like that humorless worrying tone. It was not like him at all. She gave herself a few seconds to compose herself before answering. "This is supposed to me normal. Its just that…I wasn't prepared for this to be so…draining."
"May I ask, how is this supposed to be normal?" Xellos inquired.
I might as well tell him. Silently apologizing to Torrin, she stood up. "A dragoness mother experiences a severe drain of her magical energy when she nurses her young for the first few years of their life."
Xellos' eyebrow arched in mild surprise. "So that's it. And I thought I knew everything about Dragons."
Another cry came from Val's room. "Excuse me." Filia walked around him and went into the room, quickly shutting the door.
A little abrupt at the end, I know. What was Filia thinking letting Xellos take advantage of her like that? You'll just have to wait, hehe. I'll leave you with a quote. Doesn't exactly apply to this story, at least not yet, but I love it! ~NB~
This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted. - C. S. Lewis
Please leave a comment and any questions I just know your dying to ask.