DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Slayers... (n.-)
Twenty-One Episodes Re-posted!
Hee, as always, any reviews will be acknowledged up here in the announcement section should you post 'em! (n.-)
Enjoy!! (n.n)
- Nicci
Episode 021: There's No "I" In Team!
Pre-Game Recruiting?!
"So you see Mr. Lokkin!" Amelia continued waving her Justice finger at the thoroughly engrossed Grin. "That's why being evil is wrong!"
"Not to mention the fact." Zelgadiss added casually. "That treating others poorly, will ensure that when they surpass you in power that you will be treated just as poorly."
The young Grin Master stared at the gaudy pink floor boards considering their words. "I see. So what your saying, is that being evil will enviably bring about pain, torment, suffering and eventually world destruction and the death of all living things as we know it!" He shook his head in annoyance. "Damn, Dynast's teachings aren't just awful, they're ridiculous!"
Zelgadiss and Amelia shared a sweatdrop.
"Well, over time, I suppose that is certainly a possibility." Zelgadiss agreed with a shrug. "But that's not our current concern."
"Mr. Zelgadiss?" Amelia asked looking up at him, perplexed.
"Stony!" The Grin Master inquired.
Zelgadiss grimaced, but didn't comment on the nickname. "Right now, we need to make certain that you get back to Sherrast and keep her from learning about your little change of heart."
"Awww!" Lokkin whined, kicking the comforter with a furry foot. "But she's mean to me!"
"Oh! Poor Mr. Lokkin!" The Princess cooed, grabbing him up in a hug. "That's all right! You can stay in my room, okay!"
"Really?" Lokkin asked clutching his furry paws together and peering up at her with shiny eyes. "You'll let me sleep with you guys?'
"Yep." Amelia stated cheerfully, bobbing her head. At the same time Zelgadiss dropped his arms form there crossed stated and exclaimed furiously. "No!"
Lokkin looked up at the two mildly annoyed, he was getting the feeling there was a lack of communication going on.
"But Mr. Zelgadiss..." The little princess whined in a sad voice. "Mr. Lokkin needs our protection!"
"Amelia…" Zelgadiss stated coolly. "He's more powerful than either of us, it's us who need the protection should Sherrast come looking for him."
Lokkin looked back and forth between the pouting lower lip and shiny eyes of the princess to the stiff upper lip and firm gaze of the chimera. Little by little the princess' pout grew more defined as the chimera expression grew less. Finally the chimera let out a sigh. "Fine, but we have to tell Lina about this."
"Yea, thank you Mr. Zelgadiss!" Amelia squealed wrapping the chimera in a large and quite firm hug, thereby causing him to blush profusely and look at the chocolate cover walls and the message they bestowed thereby making him blush even harder as he quickly averted his gaze and stared at the ceiling.
Lokkin smirked at his new friends as there came the sound of Zelgadiss clearing his throat followed by. "It's nothing."
Hmm… so when she pouts his resolve breaks… Lokkin smirked, this would be fun.
Filia glared at her dresser as she pulled from it her "extra clothes" and tossed them on the bed. "Ooooh, that filthy monster how dare he make me humiliate myself like this! Why I'll… I'll…"
"You'll what!" Xelloss asked phasing into the room behind her causing her to jump up in shock and turn on him mace drawn and tail exposed.
"I'LL WIN!" She growled fire cloaking both her hair and her gaze.
Xelloss held in the gasp he wanted to make. She was on fire literally, he'd never seen anything more deliciously gorgeous his entire life. He smirked to himself. Hmm… now how to make this fire blaze into an inferno…
"Oh!" He asked arching his eyebrows in amusement at her bogus claim, there was no way she could beat him, not in the little game he had in mind. "And how do you propose to do that, Filia?"
His smirk widened annoyingly. "You don't even know what game was playing!"
Filia glared at him, draconic pried feeding the flames. "I'LL WIN BECAUSE DRAGONS ARE ALWAYS BETTER THAN MAZOKU!"
"Oh?" Xelloss replied his smirk doubling. "So Dragons are a bunch of whores who spend so much time trying to get each other naked in a game of Strip Poker that a little monster like me who plays it every Friday wouldn't stand a chance!"
"YES… I mean NO!... I mean… STRIP POKER! WHY YOU LITTE! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
Xelloss smirked in utter delight as the flames doubled in size. "Yare, yare I thought you were going to beat me, Filia! How can you beat me when you don't even know how to play!"
"HOLD STILL THEN I'LL BEAT YOU!" The enraged dragoness yelled taking a mad swing of her mace.
"Unbelievable." Cruz stated to himself in shock as he quickly shoved his winnings into a horrid violet, maroon, and sea green carpet bag he had bought on the last cruise. He had gotten it for quite cheap as for some reason not quite known to him no one seemed to want to buy one! Heh, he thought to himself letting out a giddy little laugh which caused the other men standing nearby the odd little man with the queer carpet bag to take to steps back and gaze in relief at there partners breasts in relief. With all this gold, I can pay off Mr. Garson and still have room to purchase that bright Robin's Egg Blue, rabbit-skin coat I've always dreamed of owning!
Giggling madly Cruz clutched the carpet bag to his chest and clicked his heels together before dashing down the hall.
The man in the cloak who had been quite close to winning back all of his losses from that game with the blond moron from before watched him go with a perplexed glare and turned back to the table prepared once again, to win back all his losses. Unfortunately, the dealer got Black Jack on the first hand. The man in the cloak, in a fit of reasonable fury, thereby jumped at the dealer and began strangling him.
Filia collapsed in a panting heap on the large heart-shaped bed and glared at the bane of her existence. Xelloss calmly smiled back; expertly hiding the rage of delightful emotions he was feeling right now. He had felt her rage when she was in dragon form and it was strong but in "enflamed human form" as he had decided to call it, it seemed all of her rage doubled the flavor of this controlled rage was emasculate.
Filia noticed Xelloss had a slight flush crossing his features, if she didn't know better she'd think he was drunk! She sighed getting up off the bed and heading back over to the dresser, shooting him an annoyed look.
"You mind leaving, so I can get dressed?" She asked darkly.
Xelloss smirked considering giving a reply that was certain to reignite her rage but decided against it. He was beginning to feel a bit tipsy as it was. Besides…
"Certainly! Miss Filia!" He stated with a smart bow cracking an eye to peer at the twitching dragoness. "But as I've said I've seen it all before!" He ducked the mirror that was tossed at his head and phased in close and whispered in her ear. "Besides, in about an hour I'm just gonna see it all again anyway!"
Filia let out an enraged growl and turned on him but Xelloss tittered in glee and phased out. And now to sober up!
Filia glared at the blank space next to her before turning her nose up at it and returning to her clothing selection. She smirked holding one of her choice "extra clothes" up to her waist.
"We'll just see about that Xelloss!"
"Which room are they staying in, Amelia?" The chimera asked the little princess pretending not to see yet another strange look they had received as a couple passed by. They must make a fine pair of freaks a tiny girl holding hands with a large, Robin's Egg Blue, rabbit-like monstrosity, accompanied by a stone freak lugging a large sack of gold chips.
"Um…" Amelia pondered putting a finger to his chin. "Well, Mr. Xelloss said he put them as far from the food storage as possible so that would mean…"
"This is it." Zelgadiss finished stopping at Room 986. "I didn't even know this ship had nine floors."
"It doesn't!" The ever-annoying voice of the Trickster Priest spoke up phasing into view beside them causing both Zelgadiss and the little princess to jump, and Lokkin to titter a snicker. Xelloss smirked down at him before holding up a trademark finger to add. "This suite has a sound proof barrier on it as does Miss Filia's and Mr. Jarrek's" Xelloss twitched despite himself at this, the twitch was noted by both Zelgadiss and Lokkin who shared a brief look. Xelloss quickly regained composure and gave the trio a lewd smirk. "These sound-proof rooms are design so the couples with the most… stamina… can cause all the noise they want and not disturb the other couples!"
His smirk widened as both the princess and the chimera turned a stark shade of scarlet. Lokkin tapped his foot in thought before a look of understanding crossed his face.
"Oh I see!" The Grin Master grinned rotating his gaze over to the blushing couple. "So basically they have their own floor!" His smirked widened. "I bet Stony would like that, wouldn't you Stony!"
Zelgadiss' scarlet faced flushed maroon from the added embarrassment and rage. Ever-so-slowly he pulled free his sword and rose over his head. "… going… to… KILL… YOU!"
Lokkin tittered zipping down the hall. "You can try!"
A blur of blue fur, followed closely by a blur of steel, which was followed by blue-gray stone, raced past the still bubbly Cruz causing his hair to fly as though struck by a great bout of wind. Cruz turned his head in their direction his mouth dropped in disbelief.
Was that a…? Nah… well…. Was it?
Xelloss watched them go in amusement. He was, however, perplexed about Lokkin's choice of companions, he wasn't sure he was quite trust worthy. However, he was certain the little Grin Master could kill him if he wanted so he'd let it slide. Putting on his best smile he gazed with feigned fondness down on the little princess.
"Miss Amelia!" He stated cheerfully putting a hand on her shoulder. "I wonder if you'd be willing to do me a slight favor!"
"A favor?" Amelia asked perplexed as she tore her concerned gaze away from the love of her life whom was trying to viciously murder her statement to the power of True Love and Justice. Trying, and fortunately, or unfortunately depending how you look at it, failing miserably. "What sort of… wait NO!"
"No!" The mazoku asked arching his eyebrows in genuine surprise.
"No." The little princess stated firmly crossing her arms and pointing her nose up in firm resolve. "You said very bad things about Miss Lina, Mr. Gourry, Miss Filia, and Mr. Jarrek!" Despite her best efforts the little princess also twitched at his name.
Xelloss smirked. "Oh I see! You misunderstand Miss Amelia!"
Amelia looked up at him startled and bit worried she might have falsely accused him. "I do?"
The mazoku nodded placing his free arm behind his head. "You see, while I do not deny that the reasons I gave before are the true purpose of these rooms design, I gave them to Miss Lina and Miss Filia for a different reason!"
"A different reason?" The little princess repeated perplexed, pressing her finger to her lips in thought.
"Yes!" Xelloss replied. "Certainly you have noted the way both Miss Lina and Miss Filia leave the rooms we've stayed in along the way!"
"You mean they leave behind gross structural damage as well as every other form of damage known to man." Zelgadiss spoke up giving up and sliding his sword into its sheaf as he slumped against the wall. "Which, might I add you tend to instigate." He smirked. "At least on Filia's part."
Xelloss' smirk widened. "This is true! I do tend to enjoy our late night visits!"
"So you like her then, don't ya!" Lokkin stated climbing into the defeated chimera's lap and settling in. Zelgadiss glared at him but shrugged and gave up at he noticed the look of adoring happiness Amelia was giving him. Besides the look on Xelloss' face was more than worth it.
Xelloss' eyes were bugged open and his moth made a few movements without sound before he was able to mutter. "I most certainly do not!" He crossed his arms and pointed his nose in the air. "To imagine, me and that selfish worthless dragon!"
"Well I think it's wonderful, Mr. Xelloss!" Amelia stated clasping her hands together as little hearts formed in her eyes. "Is that the favor you need of me! Do you need me to write her a love letter describing how you feel!"
"Erm, no." Xelloss negated holding up a hand. "That's quite unnecessary!"
He smiled at the disappointed princess and replied. "Actually what I need is for you too tell absolutely every reason the you find life to be… won…" He shuddered despite himself. Well, I'll certainly be sober after all this! "… good… why life is good!"
Amelia beamed at him as Zelgadiss dropped his mouth in shock. "Well lets see there's the tree's because they give us air to breath and help create the water we drink, not to mention they can be used for wood, which can be used for houses, boats, paper…"
"So am I right in assuming you are satisfied with our arrangement?" Yade asked stepping out of the shadows and smirking at Cruz who nodded vigorously.
"I am most pleased." Yade said with a kind smile. "I did feel quite sorry for the position I knew we would put you in and I believe this exchange of services will be enough to relieve my conscious."
"Not at all, Madam." Cruz negated with a smart bow. "Without you I would never be able to achieve my life long dream of owning a bright Robin's Egg Blue fur coat!"
Yade sweatdropped considering a certain little Grin Master she would have to warn to stay far away from this character. Everything concerning both Lokkin and Sherrast was murky to her visions as neither of them should exist. Eventually, when the time was right, she would use Xelloss' Blood Orb to find out about Sherrast. She would simply ask Lokkin of his creation. Perverse thought he was, she had no desire to see him end up as a coat for this fruit cake.
"Well we all must have our aspirations." She replied calmly smile in place. "Tonight, you shall help me with mine."
She led him to the ships staircase and directed a hand down it. "Down here is a creature that appears to be human but is in fact a gross cross bread of monster and… something else."
She held Cruz's scared oak gaze in her own firm emerald one. "She should have never been created and is a dangerous abomination to all whom live."
She smiled softly. "I would like you to go down there and invite her to a game of Strip Poker."
The unfortunate bartender facefaulted.
"You want me to what!" Cruz asks pulling himself to his feet in exasperation.
Yade smirked despite herself. "Well it is obvious you shall not be phrasing the request so… directly." She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You are to say, that the Lesser Beast, whom you serve, has requested that Lord Dynast's newly appointed and created General-Priest join him for a challenge of wits in the face of adversity!"
She chuckled at this pleased with her wording and Cruz looked at her perplexed. It appeared the entire group was insane for certain now, and he had been so hoping.
She smiled at Cruz and continued. "You will also tell her that he states that any harm to his servant or her refusal to join him will obviously be seen as a sign of weakness on her part and Grin Master Lokkin, will inform Lord Dynast of it immediately."
She gave him a reassuring pat on the back and pushed him towards the stairwell. "Do try to hurry the game will be beginning quite shortly in the Violet Billiard Room."
"… and then of course there is that marble, gold-gilded, banana that Mr. Gourry found!" Amelia beamed at her sack of goods sitting next to a glazed chimera sporting a snoring Grin Master in his lap, who Zelgadiss mused was actually quite adorable when he was asleep. Even his tiny snores were cute and cuddly.
She turned her gazed on the slumped over mazoku General-Priest who was leaning on his staff for support. "Without that I would have never finally got the money to pay daddy back for all the treasury money we spend whenever we go on a quest with Miss Lina!"
The little princess grew a slight frown at this and Xelloss seizing his moment, he had been far past the point of sobriety a while ago but when Amelia got going… "Thank you, Miss Amelia you've been a great help but I'm afraid any more happiness and I'd be too weak to phase off to tonight's festivities!" He tipped slightly holding onto his staff for support. "I think I'm going to have to take a few minutes to recover as it stands."
"Mr. Xelloss?" Amelia asked concerned, she hadn't meant to hurt him it was just… well… Life was wonderful!
"Don't worry about him Amelia." Zelgadiss stated getting to his feet careful not to wake the snoring Grin Master. "He asked you to do this to him."
Zelgadiss smirked. "Discover a new way to prove you sadomasochism, Xelloss?"
Xelloss smirked back, picturing a certain enflamed dragoness. "You could put it that way!"
Amelia looked back and forth between the two confused. Zelgadiss shook his head in a cross between amusement and disgust and walked over to the door. "Come on Amelia let's get this over with and head off to bed. Lokkin seems exhausted."
"Get this over with?" Xelloss repeated aloud tilting his head. He had been so concentrated on sobering up he hadn't even considered what the two of them were doing in front of Lina's room so late at night with the Grin Master who had attacked them twice and was now curled up asleep in the chimera's arms, who really didn't seem to mind that much. Xelloss arched a brow this would need investigating.
Amelia knocked on the door softly before opening it. "Miss Lin…"
She was cut off by a yell of "that's my Breakfast and no we don't want anything to drink with it." accompanied by the harsh throwing of a water basin which flew over her head and crashed into Zelgadiss' face where it shattered instantly, showering Lokkin in porcelain fragments. The small Grin Master sat up with a stretch and a yawn as he blinked his abnormally humanistic eyes open. "Breakfast?"
Amelia shut the door warily. "Maybe we should leave her alone for tonight and just ask her in the morning!"
Zelgadiss sighed. "I'd really like too but if Sherrast comes looking for him tonight we'll have to wake her up anyway and she'll be twice as mad."
Amelia gulped and looked back and forth from the still blinking Grin Master to the doorknob. "Um… well… uh."
"Oh I see!" Xelloss stated with a light titter. "Mr. Lokkin has left Miss Sherrast against her orders and now you need extra protection in case she comes to look for him!"
"So?" Zelgadiss asked turning on him annoyed. "You figured it out, have any bright ideas on how to fix our little dilemma?"
"Of course!" Xelloss replied, ever-so-pleased to be asked. "You guys can all hang with me!"
His grin widened as he considered the beauty of having the little trio join him, both strategic and for amusement purposes. "I insist!"
With that he phased them all away before any protests could be made. Oh my! Won't this be fun!